Within minutes, two patrol police arrived. One went straight to me, while the other spoke to the school staff. I put the video on the computer. The officer made a serious face. Stay here. We’ll find him.
Noah was taken to the office by a teacher. He had a little plastic dinosaur in his hands. What are you doing here, Mom?
I hugged him tightly. All I wanted was to see you.
Noah patted me on the shoulder. Mom, it’s all right. Ethan assured me that everything would be fine.
Who spoke to you, Noah?
He looked at the ground. Ethan did it.
Have you heard of him?
No. What was the appearance of the person?
“A man,” Noah replied.
Did he contact you?
Noah spread the plastic toy and said, “No, he just gave me this dinosaur.” My brother gave it to me, he informed me.
The policeman kneels at Noah’s height. Have you heard that man’s name?
Noah denied with his head. He just apologized for the collision.
I felt like I had more tones in my chest. A second officer entered the room and chatted quietly with the first.
“We located it near the maintenance shed,” the agent said. “He’s collaborating with us.”
I commented in a dry voice: “I need to see it.”
The officers led us to a small meeting room. He was sitting at the table without his baseball cap, exposing his low hair and swollen, red eyes. His fists were tight. When he entered the room, he looked up.
“Mrs. Elana,” he said incoherently.
Noah hid under my legs while the police announced to me not to talk to the child.
I said, “Noah, go with Mrs. Alvarez for a moment.”
But Noah argued, “Mom, I want to stay with you.”
Insisted: “Go now.”
I looked at the man as the door closed with a click. You were talking to my son, but why?
He made a grimace, reluctant to look me in the eye. I had no intention of scaring him.
You told my son to keep secrets and we used the name of my deceased son.
In defeat, his shoulders gave way. I am aware of that.
The police asked for his name. For records, please indicate your name.
“Raymond,” he said quietly.
Why did you approach the child? The police put pressure.
Raymond watched his shaky hands. Last week I saw him at the school entrance. He looks a lot like Ethan.
I felt my nails sticking to my palms. So you heard about his school?
With humiliation, Raymond came up. I brought the repair work here on purpose to see it.
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« « PreviousI bluntly said, “You decided to put my son in danger.” Why did he act that way?
With tears running down his cheeks, he admitted, “I can’t sleep at night.” Every time I close my eyes, I’m back in that truck’s cabin. I suffered episodes of fainting due to a medical condition known as syncope.
I replied, “But you still decide to drive.”
I couldn’t afford to lose my job, so I would ignore the need to get tested and get approved by a doctor. Then his son passed away.
Yes, I said with a tone devoid of any feeling. Your selfish decision caused my son’s death.
Raymond sobbed and lowered his head. I convinced myself that it would never happen again. I thought I could breathe quietly if I managed to stop you crying.
To ease your own guilt, do you blow my son alive? I became even more angry as I approached. You have no right to interfere in my family’s life. You can’t tell my son secrets and call it comfort.
While the officer was staring at me, Raymond was silently sobbing. Ma’am, we can press charges and request a restraining order.
I said, “I want the order right away.” I want the school to reassess its visit policy and I want you to be banned from accessing this place.
With eyes full of regret, Raymond raised his head. I’m not asking for forgiveness. All I wanted you to know was that I never wanted to hurt anyone when I woke up.
I said firmly, “You keep causing harm, and your intentions don’t change the reality of what you did.”
As a man who has finally received his verdict, he ascended. Mrs. Alvarez took Noah back to the room. Noah held on to the plastic dinosaur like a shield, red eyes.
I leaned over to look him in the eye. That guy’s not Ethan, Noah. It is not appropriate for adults to share their unhappiness with young people.
Noah stared at me and his lips trembled. However, he said…
I’m aware that the story she told you was false and that her dealings with you were totally inappropriate.
Noah murmured, “He looked so sad.”
I understand, but you have no right to ask children to hide information from their parents. So Ethan didn’t ask you to give you this gift?
I forced myself to utter the most painful words: “No.” Ethan didn’t send it.
I told him the truth kindly and in an age-appropriate manner. I hugged Noah fondly when he started crying, keeping him close until his breathing calmed down. The cops pulled Raymond out of the room. His gaze remained fixed on the ground.
Mark was waiting for us at the entrance when we got home. He was shaking and pale. What happened? He looked at Noah and asked.
Give a detailed explanation. The stranger, security footage, fence and motivation. Mark’s face contracted with anger, but he suppressed it as he turned to Noah.
Later that night, after Noah fell asleep, Mark said, “I should have been the one in that car.”
I told him not to say that.
I can’t stop thinking about it.
I said, “I don’t either.” However, we must keep Noah safe. We cannot afford to let the pain consume us.
Mark pressed the back of my chair harder. You made the right decision today.
I am aware of this, but my illness persists.
Two days later, I went to the cemetery by car alone. After placing the white daisies on his tombstone, I gently caressed Ethan’s name with my finger.
I said, “Hi, honey.” I apologize for not being able to protect you. I apologize for not being able to say goodbye to you.
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The tears sprouted from my eyes, but I dropped them. Maybe I can never forgive the driver, at least not now. Enough of strangers talking for my son. No more words borrowed, no more secrets. I stood up and exhaled until the tremor in my chest diminished after supporting the palm of my hand against the hard, cold stone. I knew I had the strength to endure the agony, even though I was still there and would always be there. It was the pure and indisputable pain of truth.
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